This is THE recipe that started it all — the original NestleToll House Cookie recipe! How many of you grew up making the recipe on the back of the Nestle chocolate chip bag?! This recipe is a classic that is easy to make and turns out great every.single.time!

a plate stacked with chocolate chip cookies next to a bag of semi sweet chocolate morsels made from the original toll house cookie recipe.

24 Best Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipes Ever!

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I love knowing random factoids, so here is a good one for you!Do you know who invented the original chocolate chip cookie?A woman named Ruth Wakefield ran the successful Toll House restaurant in Whitman, Massachusetts, inthe 1930’s!

She was making a batch of cookies when she decided to break pieces of Nestlé Semi-Sweet chocolate into the cookie dough.To her surprise, the chocolate didn’t melt;instead, it held its shape, giving the best texture to her cookies.

Ruth officially became theinventor of the chocolate chip cookie. She sold the rights to her recipe to Nestlé for only $1.00! Little did she know this would become the most popular cookie ever and turn intoTHE famous Toll House Cookie recipe!

a plate stacked with chocolate chip cookies.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Everyone needs atried-and-true chocolate chip cookie recipe, and this one won’t disappoint. It is easy, legendary, and delicious.
This recipe has withstood the test of time! Youonly need everyday ingredientsto make them; they are so yummy.
You can double or even triple this recipe and freeze the extra. The dough can be keptin the freezer for up to 3 months!

Recipe Ingredients

Flour –all-purpose
Baking soda
Butter –If using unsalted butter, you will need to add 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon salt.
Sugar –brown and white sugar (granulated)
Vanilla extract
Eggs
Nestle Toll House Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips

See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities.

How to Make Original Toll House Cookies

kitchen aid bowl of raw chocolate chip cookie dough.

Step 1:Add the dry ingredients and whisk, then add the remaining ingredients.

Step 2:Gradually beat together until well combined, and drop a heaping tablespoon of dough onto the baking sheet.

top view of rows of chocolate chip cookies complete on a baking dish.

top view of a plate stacked with chocolate chip cookies with milk and some other cookies on a drying rack.

Step 3:Bake until barely golden brown and let cool on the pan.

Step 4:Enjoy while warm with a cold glass of milk!

Recipe FAQs

Should you refrigerate Toll House cookie dough before baking?

Nope, this recipe does not need to be refrigerated before baking. Yay for no waiting on cooking!

Can I freeze this cookie dough?

Yes! I love to make a double or triple batch of cookies so we can eat one, share one and freeze one for later. Store uncooked cookie dough properly in an airtight container for up to 3 months. When you are ready to bake the dough, take the dough from the freezer, warm to room temperature and bake as instructed.

How long do homemade chocolate chip cookies last?

These classic cookies will keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2-3 days without losing flavor. If the air temperature is warm, though, store them in the refrigerator so the semi-sweet bits of chocolate don’t melt.

Expert Tips

I recommend making cookie dough balls in aheaping tablespoonand baking them for 11 minutes to achieve a desirable spread.
For a crispier cookie, flatten the dough balls slightly before baking or bake just a little bit longer to get thin crisp edges. It’s a personal preference, but I like my Toll House chocolate chip cookies to be a little soft and chewy, so I stick with the original instructions off the back of the Nestle chocolate chips bag.
For a little extra texture, use nuts in this recipe (any kind you like, I prefer pecans!)
If you love experimenting with chocolate chip cookies like with this retro recipe, try myOatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies,Sourdough Chocolate Chip Cookies,or myBrown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies!

How to Make Toll House Cookies Soft & Chewy

To prevent hard and burnt cookies, take them out of the ovenjust before they look done.You want them to be just barely golden brown. They will continue to bake for a couple of minutes on your baking sheet. But this little tip will drastically change your cookies for the better!

How to Freeze Chocolate Chip Cookies

Although it’s highly unlikely you’ll ever have this problem, here’s what to do with leftover chocolate chip cookies—freeze them!

Allow the freshly baked cookies tocool completely, preventing moisture build-up and freezer burn. Once cooled, set the cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet andplace them in the freezer for about an hour. This initial freezing step, called flash freezing, helps maintain the cookies’ shape and prevents them from sticking together.

After the cookies are solid,transfer them to an airtight containeror a resealable freezer bag, placing parchment paper between layers to avoid sticking. Label the container with the date, and store the cookies in the freezer forup to three months.

When you’re ready to enjoy a cookie, simply let itthaw at room temperaturefor a few minutes orwarm it in the microwavefor a quick, comforting treat. Freezing chocolate chip cookies not only preserves their flavor and texture but also makes it easy to satisfy your sweet tooth anytime.